Serbian delegation visits NATO Allied Air Command

A Serbian delegation visited NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) in Ramstein, Germany, from 11 to 13 March, reinforcing cooperation and mutual understanding between NATO and Serbia, according to a press release.

Organised by NATO’s Military Liaison Office in Belgrade and AIRCOM, the visit aimed to foster dialogue and improve awareness of NATO’s role among the Serbian public. The delegation included Colonel Nenad Milojević, Serbia’s Military Attaché in Germany, as well as Serbian journalists and representatives from non-governmental organisations.

General James Hecker, Commander of NATO Allied Air Command, hosted the delegation and highlighted Serbia’s involvement in NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme, which it joined in 2006.

“When you joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) – that got our relationship going. Since then, we’ve done hundreds of different activities, enabling a dialogue,” General Hecker said.

The visit featured briefings on NATO’s core tasks, AIRCOM’s mission, and how NATO member nations have transitioned from PfP status to full membership. The delegation also learned about NATO’s Mobile Training Team, which provides flexible training programmes for partner nations.

“Air superiority is crucial,” General Hecker emphasised. “By demonstrating our ability to control the skies, we deter adversaries and reinforce NATO’s defensive posture.”

He also highlighted the strategic advantage of interoperability, pointing to Serbia’s recent procurement of the Rafale fighter jet as a step towards greater compatibility with NATO air forces.

“The most important thing when acquiring the Rafale is to start engaging bilateral relationships with your neighbours,” Hecker stated. “Buying the Rafale, we have several countries in NATO that have the aircraft. So you’re automatically interoperable, just by acquiring that piece of equipment. We’d like to engage with you as much as we can and exercise with you as much as your politicians will let us.”

The delegation, say NATO, took part in several practical engagements, including:

• A tour of NATO’s Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) aircraft, hosted by the unit’s Commander, Brigadier General Kristen Thompson.
• A tour of a C-130J transport aircraft, showcasing its role in aeromedical evacuation.
• A visit to the NATO Space Centre, offering insights into NATO’s expanding role in space security.

The final day of the visit included a stop at the U.S.-led Inter-European Air Forces Academy (IEAFA) at Kapaun Air Station, where Serbian participants engaged in ‘Project X’, a leadership development exercise designed to foster problem-solving skills and camaraderie between NATO members and partner nations.